Hundreds of mms drench homes across Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast

Readers have shared videos and pictures of the Central Qld drenching that broke an 84-year record for August rainfall in Rockhampton and a century-old record in a Capricorn Coast suburb. See the pics and find out which areas had the most.

Terese Turner said she had 210mm in the Barmoya area. Picture: Contributed

While the rain may have dissipated, records will remain of when the skies opened up on the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast regions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Beef Capital broke an 84-year record for August rainfall and Pacific Heights in Yeppoon had its highest rainfall for the month for more than a century, with widespread rain closing roads and even bringing down a powerline.

The statewide drenching focused much of its attention on Central Queensland, with heavy falls at Samuel Hill, near Yeppoon (177mm), Byfield (139mm), Pacific Heights (112mm), Hedlow Airfield, west of Yeppoon (101mm), while 85mm fell at Rockhampton and 40mm at Gladstone, on Tuesday.

The Morning Bulletin readers shared some videos and photographers they took during and after the rainfall.

Rachael Manns said she had more than 250mm of rain at home in Woodbury, between Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the totals recorded at Pacific Heights and Rockhampton broke 80-year plus records.

“The 112mm at Pacific Heights was its highest August rainfall for over 100 years, while 85mm fell at Rockhampton, which broke an 84-year record for August,” Mr Hanniffy said.

“A couple other short-term 20- to 30-year records as well were broken across the region.”

HIGH RAINFALL AUGUST 13-14:

Byfield Childs Rd 266mm

Upper Ulam Rd (Bouldercombe/Bajool) 201mm

Pacific Heights (Yeppoon) 183mm

Samuel Hill Aero (Byfield area) 176mm

Hedlow Airport (Barmoya) 166mm

Tina Krulic shared a photo of the natural waterway at her property at Rockyview flowing with water. Picture: Contributed

Judy Sticklan McLean said she had 250mm at The Caves.

Tina Krulic shared a photo of the natural waterway at her property at Rockyview flowing with water.

“Our natural waterway on our property which hasn’t ever had water in it since building our house,” she said.

“We have been in the area for eight years.”

Lisa Kilner said she had 178mm in Kongal. Picture: Contributed

Lisa Kilner said she had 178mm in Kongal.

Willow Dunning said she had 147mm in Rockhampton City.

Salena McBride said she had 194mm on Tea Tree Rd, near Bouldercombe. Picture: Contributed

Salena McBride said she had 194mm on Tea Tree Rd, near Bouldercombe, south-west of Rockhampton.

Leanne Lynch said she had 165mm at Etna Creek, north of Rockhampton.

Gloria Peckover said she had 214mm in North Rockhampton. Picture: Contributed

Gloria Peckover said she had 214mm in North Rockhampton.

Maryanne Randall said she had 217mm at Tungamull, near the Capricorn Coast.

Terese Turner said she had 210mm in the Barmoya area. Picture: Contributed

Terese Turner said she had 210mm in the Barmoya area, between Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast.

Dave Barnes said he had 190mm at his farm in Tanby, near the Capricorn Coast.

Blossom Fields said she had 195mm at Rockyview, north of Rockhampton

Rockhampton Regional Council sent out a warning on Wednesday that the unseasonal wet weather and strong river currents had caused extensive damage to the recently installed eight-lane rowing course at the Ski Gardens and it was completely dislodged and travelling downstream.

A large portion of it remains entangled at the Barrage and the Neville Hewitt Bridge.

Council has warned hyacinth and remnants of the rowing course have been swept downstream into the saltwater area of the river, creating a significant hazard for boaters.

Council crews are assessing the situation and developing a recovery plan to retrieve the lane wires and buoys in conjunction with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ).

However, council stated it is anticipated that the clean-up will take more than a week because of the strong river currents.

Meanwhile, video has captured the moment powerlines on a major Rockhampton thoroughfare erupted into sparks after a truck ran over a fallen line.

The video, which circulated on social media, shows a truck driving along Gladstone Rd seemingly not seeing a powerline across the road.

The truck then runs over the powerline, causing a flurry of sparks to erupt from the powerline and pole it was connected to above.

A spokesman for Ergon Energy said crews responded to a call from Queensland Fire Department about 7.24pm with 51 customers in the area impacted.

The spokesman said the powerline came down due to weather impacts.

Crews worked to repair the damage with power coming back on about 10.53pm.

A spokesman for Queensland Fire Department said two crews attended the incident but left the scene in the hands of Ergon Energy.

Police were also on scene to direct traffic while repairs were undertaken.

The Ergon Energy spokesman said it was a “timely reminder” that sometimes power equipment gets damaged during weather events and if anyone sees wires down or damage to poles they should stay well clear and call 000.

“If it’s the case that powerlines have fallen across a vehicle, the best way for people in that vehicle to stay safe is to stay, call, wait. That is, stay in the vehicle, call triple zero and wait for emergency services and our crews to arrive,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone who is near the vehicle should stay at least 10 metres away and call triple zero.”

In the Gladstone region, Barbara Manski said she had 105mm at Telina and Diane Jones said she had 96mm in Mt Larcom.

Originally published as Hundreds of mms drench homes across Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast